If this were the last last of the US of Phil Mickelson’s US, here’s how goodbye

Oakmont, without. – He threw his head perhaps an inch, smiled, then climbed the thumb and finger index together and raised them to his forehead. His first and last names had just been notified by a microphone, and now he was doing little choreographer who was as synonymous with his brand as his swing in the south.

A Phil Mickelson The advice of the hat, in all its delightful glory.

“Is he Phil?” One spectator asked them both rhetorically and fanatically.

“There Phil”, shouted another fan.

Some things never change. But nothing lasts forever. There Mickelson was also last week at the Liv Golf event in Virginia, where he was asked if he would think What was in discussion this weekIN We open THEir Oakmont country club. Four years ago, and days less than his 51st birthday, he will won the PGA Championshipwinning him five more invitations to the great one he madly claimed among his sixth.

But in 2026, he will dry out.

Was this then?

“I didn’t think much about it,” Mickelson said, before adding, “there is a high chance that it will be.”

This issue largely depends on whether Mickelson, who has had a shocked relationship with the United States Golf Association, will extend invitations. On Wednesday, John Bodenhamer, Main Officer of the USA Championship said neither yes nor nomeans that we are left to think if this week was A Goodbye or Goodbye? Arnold Palmer received a proper sending of the Oakmont National Championship, but with Mickelson things are more complicated. His transition to Liv Golf has made it deeply polarizing; He believes he is increasing the game while others point to the Saudi and Saudi money.

But you always get the top of the hat. Or a fingers. Sometimes one immediately after the other. Greetings allow you. A superman for every man, woman and child. On Friday here, in the wake of his four-on 74 opening, it seemed that this story would be composed Sunday night. In par-5 4, Mickelson filled a wedge in 15 inches. In par-4 11, after Bogeys at 7 and 8, he rolled into a 14-party. But no shot was of the best quality Phil than his third in 15, which followed a wonderful road metal from the rough (of course) and a request for a cameraman nearby to stop movement (of course). He watched a wedge about 100 meters less than her target, then looked at his ball in 12 feet. At that point, Mickelson was four for the tour, three inside the line.

For every thumb with Mickelson, there is also a big finger in the eye, however. We play golf for his casino-like harassment you’ve won a bet before, so you have to win again, and Mickelson always seems to hit at 20. But dance with the devil enough and you go directly to Golf Hel. With Mickelson, you should not look farther than the US open for examples.

It was 2006, standing with wings, and Tee fired from the hospitality tent, and a double double noise that wiped a one-blow lead. There was 2004 at Shinnecock’s Open next year-where Mickelson was your leader after 70 holes before falling double in the 71st. There was 2009 at Bethpage Black-this year’s Ryder Cup-where he was your co-leader with five holes to play before the 15th and 17th holes were visible. It was 2013 in Merion, where he played in the last pairing before running back-nine Bogeys condemned him. It was 1999 in Pinehurst No. 2, where Payne Stewart withdrew in such a memorable blow a statue rose up, and Mickelson ended the second with a blow. Overall, Mickelson has completed the race of an almost unbreakable six times.

On Friday, after his Sublime wedge, Mickelson lost his money.

On Friday, he lost his courageous putty.

Six long.

No sequence was of the best quality Mickelson than what it went down to 17, a par-4 to 305-boron where you go little, hope for a 3, but take a 4 and continue-or throw your care and iron into the wind. It is a risk reward hole, and Mickelson doubled-and crashed. He threw his intention in the fall of an front bunker, crashed into his second shot in the sand, hit, then with three strokes of 35 meters. Why did he shoot great? Why try to be complicated with that second blow? Always why.

Eight over.

He needed birds at 18.

After a car down to the right and an iron at 10 meters, he had a chance. A good one. While waiting in the green, Thunder looked and playing partner Brian Harman asked, “Do you feel safe?” Mickelson said he did, and the blows were hit.

Mickelson slid to the right.

About 500 or people, among the rain points, cheered. He accepted them. He went to score and came out last. An assembly of reporters waited for a quota – what he would say; what can He says? – but he refused. He entered the hospitality of the players, and his caddy, Jon Yarbrough, brought his bag to Mickelson’s gray courtesy. There, his team waited. About 10 minutes later, Mickelson climbed up, between two officers who could double as rock attitudes. The rain was pouring now. Mickelson called for golf balls. No one was found.

He dug some gloves in place. He handed over to the officers, shook hands and thanked them.

Greeting to the end.

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